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Widor was born to a family of musicians and had as first master none other than his own father, himself a sax player. By age 7, this wonder child was already in the payroll of the Municipal Band of his hometown of Anapolis, Brazil, where played for another seven years.

Still in his early teens, he joins a travelling band, and tours all over Brazil, briefly settling in Brasília and later São Paulo, where he is tutored by more experienced instrumentists. At age 18, he goes back to Brasília to become one of the most sought-after musicians in the capital of Brazil. Quattuor Jazz, his first jazz ensemble, is featured for weeks on end at the London Tavern Pub and other popular venues. He is also playing with Artimanha, another famous local jazz group. He performs in every Jazz Festival of Casa Thomas Jefferson in the 1980s, alongside some of the most talented musicians, who gradually spread the word about the talented young soloist. Soon thereafter, he pioneers the jazz nights of Gates Pub, a nightclub that would become a reference in Brasília.

In 1983, Widor, still an adolescent, moves to Rio de Janeiro, looking for ways to expand his musical career. A new and prolific phase ensues, as he comes in contact with Brazil’s most brilliant musicians. The experience greatly enriches his art, as he transits into adulthood.

He dramatically changes his sound and his attitude, under the strong influence of John Coltrane and Michael Brecker. Yet he manages to keep his identity as a musician, which affords him the acknowledgment and the respect of fellow instrumentists.

Widor starts recording with the great names of Brazilian pop music, proving his versatility as a virtuoso comfortable in a variety of different styles. The list of artists includes Marcio Montarroyos, Rique Pantoja, Sivuca, Victor Biglione, Marcos Rezende and many others. Around the same time, he joins different instrumental music ensembles, such as Banda Retoque, Banda Piramide, and Don Heres. He also plays in the bands of Nico Assumpção, Alfredo Dias Gomes, and Sivuca.

It doesn’t take long for artists like Djavan, Erasmo Carlos, Cazuza, João Bosco, Maria Bethania, Simone, and Milton Nascimento to notice the brightness of his solos. Invitations to record keep coming, and not just from these artists.

In Rock in Rio Concerts I and II, he plays with Erasmo Carlos and Leo Jaime. He also joins Sivuca and Rique Pantoja on-stage at the Free Jazz Festival 86/87.

He continues to record and is now touring the world with Djavan (EU, US, JP), Rique Pantoja (EU, US), Marcio Montarroyos (US, JP), Elza Soares (US).

In 1989, Widor moves to Los Angeles, and joins Wayne Shorter on a series of concerts. Wayne readily ackknowledges Widor as a talented sax player, worthy of the same respect as any accomplished musician in America. Still in LA, Widor forms the Brazil ensemble and later the Brazil Band - playing mostly Brazilian jazz tunes – and the Vellas Group USA, a jazz fusion group. He was also performs with Azimuth, at Vines St. Pub.

Upon returning to Brazil, Widor resumes his activities as a sought-after recording musician and goes on tour again with many artists (Japan, USA and Europe).

In 1996, he accepts the invitation of Flora Purim and percussionist Airto Moreira and joins them for a series of the most important jazz festivals in over 30 countries. Widor stays with their band for two and a half years, during which time he lives in New York and Miami. Eventually, he settles back in Rio de Janeiro, where he’s been based ever since.

In addition to his own quintet, Widor starts recording and touring again, this time with Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Milton Nascimento, Dave Weckel, Delmar Brown, Efrain Toro, Giovanni Hidalgo, Larry Coryell, Luiz Avellar, Marcos Rezende, Mike Stern, Nico Assumpção, Pascoal Meireles, Paulo Braga, Paulo Russo, Paulinho Trompete and other top notch Brazilian artists.

In 2002, he starts playing in the band of singer and songwriter Milton Nascimento, with whom he is frequently on tour in Brazil, the Americas, Europe, Africa and Japan. In his international tours, Milton Nascimento tailors his performances to the characteristics of each audience, often introducing a more jazz-like repertoire and confidently relying on Widor, as the band’s lead soloist. And everywhere, Widor has been praised in the press for his soloist virtues.

Widor’s first album – A Rosa – recorded in London, San Francisco and Rio de Janeiro, is a collection of fine Brazilian Jazz tunes, exposing in all its glory the technique and sensitivity of a musician widely acknowledged as one of Brazil’s greatest jazz performers.

Widor Santiago also works on contract for Globo Television, as the lead saxophone and flute player in the BR Plus ensemble, performing in live concerts and recording the soundtrack of most of the channel’s programs. In addition, he plays regularly in the nightclubs of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo with his own quintet.

Widor is currently finishing another two albums with his own compositions. The new releases are the result of years of experience in different settings and cultures and in the company of some of the greatest stars of music.

Deeply rooted in Brazil, the music of Widor Santiago is contemporary jazz at its best.